Automatic type-writer operator.



L. R. ROBERTS. AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 13,1913- V 1 1 82314, PatentedMay 9,1916.

16 SHEETS-SHEETAL L. R. ROBERTS. AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITER OPER-ATOR. YAPPLICATION F|LED DEC. 113M913. v I

Patent-ed M213 9, 1916.-

I6 SHEETS-SHEET 2- L. R. ROBERTS. f AUTOMATIC TYPE wnnea OPERATOR. Q, 7APPLICATlON HLED DEC. 13,1913- Ll82,314. Patented May 9,1916.

I6 SHEETS-SHEET 3. I

Wihassa- WWW L.- R. R OBRTS. AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR.

- APPLICATION FILED DEC-13,1913. 1,1593% Patented May 9,1916.

16 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

L. R. ROBERTS.

AUTOMATIC TYPE wmren'opmma.

APPLICATION FILED DEC- 13,1913- I Patented May 9,1916.

L. R. ROBERTS". AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR.

APPILICATION FILED DEC. 13.19.13.

Patented May 9, 1916.

. L. a. ROBERTS.

IAUTOMAHC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED use. 13,1913.

Patented May 9,1916.

16 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

L. R. ROBERTS AUTOMATlC T YPE- WRITER OPERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED 05c. l3, 1913. l 1 1$%,j3l%. Patented May 9,1916.

I6 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

L. R. ROBERTS; AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR.

I APPLICATION FILED DEC.13|1913- 1,182,811.

Patented May-9, 1916.

16 SHEETS-SHEET 9- L. R. RGBERTS. AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITEROPERATOR.APPLICATION FIL ED DEC- 13,1913.

Patented May 9, 1916.

I 6 SHEETSSHEET 10.

L. B; ROBERTS;

AUIOMAUC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR. APPLICATION HLED mac. 13.1913.

1e SHEETSQSHEET Patented May 9,1916.

L. R. ROBERTS. AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR.

, APPLICATION FILED 056.13.191.3- mm mm Patented May 9, 1916.

I5 SHEETS-SHEET I2- -L. R. ROBERTS.

AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITEROPERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 13,19l3.

1,182,3 1 4. Patented May 9, 1916.

16 SHEETSSHEET 13.

L. R.IROB'ERTS.

AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR APPLICATION FILED DEC. 13,!913- PatentedMay 9,1916.

1 6 SHEETS SHEET 14- L. R. ROBERTS.

AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR.

APPLICATION F|L ED DEC.13,1913.

Patented May 9,1916.

16 SHEETSSHEET 16.

' machines and UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'LYMAiv R. RoBERTs, or RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, AssIGNQR To UNDERWOODTYPE- WRITER COMPANY, on NEW 'YORK. N. Y.. A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

AUTOMATIC TYPE-WRITIEl-"t OPERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9. 1916.

Application sled December 13,1913. Serial no. 806,408.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LYMAN R. ROBERTS, a citizen of the United States,residing in Rutherford, in the county of Bergen and" State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in AutomaticType-Writer Operators, lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in typewriter operators andmore especially to the class in which'all of the functions of" thetypewriter can be taken care of automatically, whereby not only one buta dozen can be'looked after by a single operative, it being merelynecessary that the blank paperbe supplied. thereto in stacks thetypewritten matter'removed as accumulated.

This application is an improvement on my applications, No. 646,975,filed August 31, 1911, and No. 680,586, filed February 29, -1912.

An object of this invention is to produce a machine which will be simplein construe tion, compact in its arrangement, and with the possible andretired from an tionl In the present machine the keys are actuated frombeneath, leaving them exposed to View andeven ready tobe operatedmanually, as the connections between the keys andthe operating parts areof such a type that the operating parts will not interfere with the freemanual operation ofthe keys. In fact, all of the parts of the typewriterare connected to the operating mechanism in such a way that if it shouldbe desired,

the typewriter can be operated by hand.

matter, such as a letter, and the otherfor' writing inserts, such asanew name and address for each letter. Of course,the inserted matter mayalso be placed, if desired, even in the midst of the letter, under thecontrol from the second tracker board. The master members are shown ofthe perforated type, so that when they pass bytheir tracker boards, theybring perforations sucof which the foloperating parts secluded as muchas exposed pos1- form of a series of cards present case,

by sheet cessively into register with apertures in the trackerbOfiIdSiD. order to admit air'to individual controller's, each of whichgoverns the action of a pneumatic actuator. -This actuator is connectedby mechanical means to the particular part of the typewriter which it isto operate. By this means a success ve SQIlGSOf actions of thetypewriter may be produced according to any predetermlned plan which isgoverned by the perforations in the mastermember.

As stated above, master member controls the body of the written matterand the other master member con trols the inserts. It is thereforeessential to 1nthe present case one shiftthecontrol of the operator'from onemaster member to the other.' This is controlled by specialperforations in each master memher, so that they bring times, shiftingmechanism which enables first one master member to be in ascendencyandthen the other. In the present instance, where one master membercontrols the body of the writing, it is desirable to make the same ofany endless sheet, so that-it can repeat over and over again by passingcontiniially over the tracker board with interruptions mainly for thepurpose of allowing the other master eration of the machine.-- The othermaster member in this case is, in fact, a series ofinto action at propermember to controlthe op individual master members shown in theperforated to correspond to' difi'erent inserts, which, in the aredifferent names and addresses.

The paper to be written on is supplied to the machine 1n packs 'andpicked up sheet trol of one of the master members, by a the sheets oneby one to the platen on the typewriter as the carriage reaches the endof Its return movement. The sheet so dropped is fed beyond theheadingthereof,

to a point to receive the first line of typewriting, while the previoussheet, which has been completely written on, is fed out and receiveriliin a suitable receptacle.

Among 't e important improvements in the present case, is the means'forrotating the platen when a new sheet is fed thereto as mentioned above,to bring thefirst line for writing to'the printing point and to removethe completely written sheet from at the proper time under theconpneumognechanical mechanism,.which drops the platen-.- Thisisaccomplished by a special: drive for the platen from a motor,whose'connection to the motor is normally interrupted andmade continuousby a clutch connecting up a special retrieving mechanism therefor indriven relation with a motor, by means of a normallyopen clutch. Thismechanism is so operated that it locks mined amount. At the sametraversed from the driving mechanism of' i 15 with an adjustable stop,whereby it is '2'0 and also. disconnects the valve from the so platenatsuch special points as the changing sheet-lifter which'fnormally restson the the, clutch in its closed positiomthe unlocking of which'takesplace who the carriage is returned, its full limitas etermined by amargin gagaby a valve located on the margin gage and tripped by thecarriage,

so as to bring into play a pneumatic actu ator which releases thelocking means Other features and/advantageswill here-. inafter appear. pIn theaccompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a general view in sideelevation of the machine as a whole, *with parts omitted for the sake ofsimplicity, and showing, in dottedlines, the path of travel. of acompletely' typewritten sheet in leaving the platen. Fig. 2 is a detailof the manual means for controlling the activity of the -machine. Fig. 3is a skeleton view in side elevation, showing the means for silencingthe feed for both tracker boards when the carriage is being returned.Fig. 4 is an en- 'larged fragmentary view in side elevation, showingparts of the typewriting mechamenu with connections of the operatingmechanism thereto. Fig. 6 is a detail sectionthrough one of thepneumatic actuators and the control therefor. Fig. 6 is a view of themachine as a whole in front elevation, with many parts omitted for thesake of simplicity. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 77 ofFig. 1, showing the general relatibn of the pneumatic actuators to oneof the tracker boards, and also showing details of the platen-rotating,mechanism and the sheet-feeding mechanism. Fig. 8 is a rear viewinelevation'of the sheet-feeding mechanism, and also of theplaten-rotating mechanism which is used when the sheet is first fed tothe platen to bring the initial line of printing to the printing point,that is, the feeding mechanism which ro tates the platen in passing theheading on thesheet to be typewritten and in removing a written sheetfrom the platen. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the mechanismfor controlling the extent of feed or rota- 115 tion of'the platen. Fig.10 is a view in side elevation, showing the sheet-feeding mechanism.

5 when a proper'opening' in one of the master 70 members comes intoregister with an aperturefin the corresponding tracker I board. When.closed :the clutch is automat'rpally' lockedin its closed condition soas to conoltinuously drive the platen any predeter- I time that theclutch is closed, a valveis connected to be the platen until it comesinto engagement opened. The opening of the valve excites. a pneumaticactuator, which actuator releases thelocking means for the clutch, Ithereby interrupting'the drive to the platen,

traversing means therefor, so'that it can be returned by a spring to itsnormal position. i The adjustment of the stop determines the extent oftravel of the valve, and hence, the, "extentof rotation of the platen,which is proportionate thereto, whereby the platen may be rotated anydesired number of line spaces.

The same mechanism which rotates the from-a typewritten sheet to a freshsheet, also operates the paper-feeding mechanism, so that it will-liftthe sheet to be droppedto the platen. This is,a ccomplished by a ack ofsheets and has suction cups engagmg with the uppermost sheet. At theproperinstant, one of the master members brings an opening therein intoregisterwith 40 an aperture in its tracker board, so that this lifter isconnected up with thesource of suction; thenwhen the clutch mentionedabove is connected, a cam will be rotated to shift thissheet-lifter to araised position, holding up the uppermost sheet, and the sheet-lifter'wi 1 be locked in this position. Now, when the, carriage reaches theend of its return movement, air will be admitted to the sheet lifter,permitting the sheet raised to drop to the platen, where it will be fedaround by the platen-rotating mechanism. The lock for the lifter willremain in action until some .one'of the keys of the typewriterisactuated, as it is releasable automatically solely by the universal barof thetypewriting mechanism, which trips it when the master memberstarts to bringthe typewriting mechanism once more into action. That 1 iis to say, the first time the universal bar is .actuated, it will tripthis locking mechanism for the sheet-lifter and permit it to return toapositioniwith its pneumatic suc- In this view, the sheet-lifter isshown in full lines in engagement with the I pile ,of sheets, and indotted lines in its position lifting a sheet from the pile ready to dropit to the platen. Fig. 11 is a per spective view of the parts shown inFig. 10, with the sheet-lifter in its raised position away from the pileof sheets. Fig. 12 125 is an enlarged perspective view, showing I themechanism for receiving, the sheet from tion cups in engagement with thenext fresh the sheet-feeding mechanism and directing sheet on' thestack.- v Q it tot-he platen, the sheet-lifter beingshown' 5; The returnof the carriage is ,obtainedfby; 'intlfis; cgse with the sheet withdrawnfrom 1 30 45 of the connections to .50 card substituting the pile readyto drop it into the receiving mechanism. Fig. 13 is a skeleton perspective view, showing the mechanism for controlling the termination of thereturn movement of the carriage and also the termination-of the extentof drive of the platen in bringing a new sheet to the writing point.Fig. 14 is a top plan view showing a margin gage or stop and its valvecontrol, whereby it governs the extent of return movement of thecarriage by disconnecting the driving mechanism for the carriage. Fig,15 is a detail perspective view, of a part of the margin gage shown inFig. 14. Fig. 16 is 15 a perspective view showing the carriage withthemargin gage having a pneumatic control thereon, and the drivingmechanism for rotating the platen in bringing a new sheet to theprinting point. Fig. 17 is a 2 detail of the valve on the margin gagewhich controls the extent of travelof the carriage or, in other words,controls the stopping of the drive of the carriage in its returnmovement. Figs. 18, 19 and 20 are details. of the mechanisms foroperating the I sheet-lifter when the carriage is returned, so that whenthe carriage reaches the extreme of its return movement, the sheetlifter will be operated to lift the sheet and 3 drop it on the platenwhen the platen is properly positioned to receive it. Fig. 21

1s adetail view of the platen-rotating and sheet-feeding drive. Fig. 22is a detail section along the main drive shaft, showing the clutch forconnecting up the traversing mechanism of the typewriter carriage. Fig.23 is an enlarged View in elevation of the lower part of the machine,showing the driving connections from the motor to the 40, various parts,and more especially the carriage-ret'urn-driving means. Fig. 24 is ahorizontal view in section, on the line 24-241; of Fig. 1, of the lowerpart of the .machine, showing the motor drive and some n the lowertracker board. Fig. 25 is a vertical section through the master-cardfeeding and substituting mechanism. Fig.26 is a detail perspective viewof the means for bringing the mastermechanism into play. Fig. 27 is aplan view of a master card with the perforations corresponding to theaddreSs, John Doc, 30 Vesey st., New York, N. Y. Fig. 28

t5 tubing thereto, whereby either tracker may is a diagrammatic planview of the keyboard of a typewriter. This view taken in connection withFig. 27 shows worm wheel 25 to drive the control much of the such as theactuators actuating mechanism, for the keys, which.

must be commonly operated under the conwvrit'er, which is shown in thepresent instance to be an Underwood although any other machine might beused, character keys 3 (Fig. 4) operate levers 4 to rock bell cranks 5,so as to swing type-bars 6 up rearwardly against the front side of aplaten 7 mounted to rotate on a carriage 8, which travels on ways on theframe of the typewriter, under the control of an escapement mechanismindicated in general at 9. This escapement mechanism includes a rack bar10, pivotally mounted on the frame of the carriage 8, so as to swinginto and out of engagement with a pinion 11 connected to rotate with anescapement wheel 12, which is controlled by a pair of dogs 13-actuatedby a universal frame 14, which is operated at the actuation of any ofthe keys, by heels l5 provided'on all of the type bars. The

universal frame 14 is mounted for movement on a swingingframe 1'6.Particular attention is called to thispoint, inasmuch as this part isused to release the locking mechanism Which-holds the sheet-lifter inits elevated position when any key is struck after havingfed a new sheetof paper to the typewriter. also by a space key17, which forms also aThe frame ldmay be operated part of the typewriting mechanism, and de-18 to thrust up an arm 19 presses a lever shift frame 16. The platenprovidedon the 7 has the usual line-space wheel 20 (Fig.

16), which is engaged by theusual line-space mechanismqincluding theline-space lever 21,

which maybe operated by hand or automatically in themanner to bedescribed.

- Having thus briefly described the more essentialparts of thetypewriter, a more elaborate and detailed description of the operatortherefor may be taken up. The automatic operator for the typewriter hasits motive source in an electric motor 22 (Fig. 1), which is providedwith a shaft 23 having a worm 24 thereon meshing with a drive a shaft 26on which the worm wheel 25 is secured. The shaft 26 is provided with apair of eccentrics 27 and 28' arranged in same, so as to I vacuum-pump.Dne section while the other is exhausting, so that a comopposite" phaseson the shaft 26, so as to drive, by means of straps and eccentric rods29,. thetwo sections 30 and 31 of a bellows will be filling monvacuumchamber 32therefor will be always under a section solong as themotor 22is driving. The suction or vacuum chamber32 has connected thereto, amain pipe 33,

which, by virtue of afeeder 3i and various laterals 35, is arranged toconnect with the source of suction, the several pneumatic actuators forthe different parts of the herein fter mentioned vacuum chambers 48 of1); and 41 (Fig. 25),

tilt mechanism.

i the particular actuator to which; theconwriting. In the case of theupper as the matter which trollercorresponds is to be controlled in itsaction by one or both of the trackers and their master members. That isto say, one of the trackers, take, for example, the

tracker 4:0, is used to controlthe writing of the main portion or bodyof the matter to be typewritten, 85

and the other, such as'the tracker 4:1, is used to control thewriting ofthe inserts, such as the difierent names and addresses placed at the topor" the several lettersl' v In the case of'the tracker board it), the40;

mastermember which controls the same, is

shown in the form or an endless perforated sheet 42, (Figs. 11 and 29),.

which may be passed repeatedly in front of the tracker 40, it controls,such as the body of the letter, istobe repeated over and overagain ineach new sheet of type tracker 41, which controls thewriting of theinserts,

. the master member may, in fact, be several difi'erent master membersshown in the form of individual perforated cards 43, which aresuccessively brought into cotiperation with the tracker d1 tosuccessively control the action thereof.

i I trol will be shifted to whenthe body of the letter will be written;

the control of the action of the It is to be understood at this pointthat operator 1 is alternately given over entirely first to one trackerboard and-then'to the'other. That is to say, the upper tracker &1 willfirst control the Writing of the address, then the conthe lower tracker,

after which, when anew sheet is placed on the typewriter, the 'controlwill again be shiftedback totheupper tracker to write a a bleed opening46 atmosphere. double-ended and operates to: alternately new name andaddress for the new sheet, and so on.

Going back at this point to the particular connection is obtained byhaving each of the tubes or tubings 39 extend through a common suctionorbleed chamber 45 ,(Figs. -7

and 23), connected by a lateralv with the feeder 34, the said bleedchamber &5 being provided with ually exhaust the air from thecorresponding chamber 4st in the acccrdant controller 37, but not fastenough to absorb the air admitted through the alined apertures in themaster sheet and the tracker in operation. It is thus evident that whenair is admitted to the chamber 4% of any particular conportion of eachtube'within of sufficient size to grad troller, it will fill the chamber44 of the controller, the top of the chamber, and carrying with thisdiaphragm, a valve rod 47, which extends upwardly-through anintermediate vacuum chamber 48 into an equalizing chamber 49. Thechamber 48 is connected, as mentioned above, to the suction pump by themain pipe 33 and the feeder 34; and the laterals 35; This chamber 48 maybe commen, if desired, to a bank of controllers 37' or individual toeach controller.

When the pressure of air admitted'to the chamber i4; raises,thediaphragm 46 and the valve rod 47 against the weight of the parts andthe negative pressure in' the vacuum raising a diaphragm 46 which formschamberiS, it also raises a valve 50 secured Y to the valve rod- 47.This valve 50 isduplex and first opens a passage 51, forming a' means ofcommunication between the vacuum chamberAS and the equalizing chamher49, and then closes a passage'52 between the equalizing chamber 49 andthe outside That is to say, the valve 50 is close and open the passages51 and 52..

When the valve 50 is raised, it connects the equalizing chamber 49 withthe vacuum chamber' iS, so that air is withdrawn from the equalizingchamber, and this will con- .iat

tinue until the valve 50 closes the passage 52, when the air will notonly be sucked out of the equalizing chamber 49, but, throughtheconnectinu pipe 38, w'll also be sucked out of the pneumaticbellowsmotorl 36 forming the active part of the actuator. When theair'is thus withdrawn from the interior r of an actuator,the outsideatmospheric pressure causes the'same to collapse, so that any

